Allegrini La Poja Monovitigno Corvina Veronese 2017

This 100% Corvina Veronese wine is an absolute banger, with double 95 points, coming from a long-standing producer in the hills of the Valpolicella Classica region of Veneto! Dense fruit, wild spices, and a smooth, full-bodied texture make for an exceptional Italian red with so much history and character. 55% off makes it all the more captivating!

It was 1854 when the Allegrini family established its winery in the verdant commune of Fumane, in the Valpolicella Classica region – though the family has been tending vines and growing grapes all the way since the 16th century. Translating to “valley of the many cellars,” Valpolicella has been the epicenter of viticulture in western Veneto since ancient times. Giovanni Allegrini took over the estate in the 1960s, transforming the holdings into the successful winery it is today with a keen focus on innovation, quality, and an expressive style true to the local terroir. He earned the nickname “the wine barrel spider” as he moved with agility through the cellars to offer tastes of his wines, earnestly receiving any feedback he was given. His son, Franco, took the winery to even greater heights, and since 2022, the seventh generation – Francesco, Giovanni, Matteo, and Silvia – continue their family’s tradition and legacy.

This 2017 Corvina Veronese has aged beautifully and is in prime drinking condition from now through the next decade, at least. Grown on the single, perfectly flat plateau vineyard of La Poja, the grapevines were planted in 1979 amidst clayey and chalky soil, interspersed with calcareous gravels, that looks almost white against the luscious green plantings, amplifying the strength of the sun and allowing the grapes to reach perfect phenolic ripeness and sugar concentration. Allegrini’s most exclusive, esteemed wines come from this tiny parcel that overlooks the famous hill of La Grola.

Gorgeous and consistent growing conditions characterize the 2017 season in Veneto, and these pristinely ripened, hand-harvested grapes first undergo de-stemming and gentle pressing, followed by fermentation in stainless steel. The wine ages for 20 months in Allier barriques, with another eight in large Slavonian oak barrels, plus 10 months in bottle before release. Now, eight years later, this is a wine of exceptional depth and elegance, with balanced richness and freshness, and loads of aromatic complexity. A core of blackberries and tart black cherries is wrapped in seductive notes of cedar, dried herbs, licorice, dark chocolate-dusted hazelnuts, black pepper, and a searing line of blood orange acidity. The tannins are refined and the finish is everlasting, with a beautiful, bodacious structure that I simply can’t get enough of! This is a fabulous showing of Veneto’s native Corvina grape – and for 50% off with tons of critical applause, a worthy addition to any Italian wine lover’s cellar!

PAIRING IDEAS: Give this silly-easy, roasted red pepper pasta recipe a try – the caramelized shallots mixed into the silky red sauce are heaven with this aromatic Italian red!